SHENANDOAH - The students at Trinity Academy had a great time jumping and hopping outside Friday afternoon to help raise money for the American Heart Association.
The sixth annual Jump Rope for Heart activity was held in the school's playground next to Annunciation BVM Roman Catholic Church, Shenandoah, with children from kindergarten through eighth grade participating.
The students got into the groove of their many activities on the playground thanks to the music of DJ Dave "The Captain" Drumblusky, who provided a large variety of tunes.
After the opening prayer and as the event began, one student from each class was chosen to be a Heart Ambassador, receiving a large button and leading the rest of the students in the opening exercise. The Heart Ambassadors were: kindergarten, Lauren Powis; first grade, Ryan Giannelli; second grade, Caelan Quick; third grade, July Maggard; fourth grade, Anthony Markosky; fifth grade, Lindsey Reinoehl; sixth grade, Dana Gregas; seventh grade, Cheyanne Morgan; eighth grade, Trent Shatalsky.
After the opening exercise of jumping jacks, the students lined up and formed conga lines led by the Heart Ambassdors.
The "Team Challenge" was new this year. Five students each from grade five through eighth were chosen to jump rope individually for one minute and have their jumps counted by parent volunteers. When all students completed jumping, the jumps were tallied with the following results: fifth grade, 579; eighth grade, 572; sixth grade, 546; and seventh grade, 436.
Funds raised go to the AHA in its fight for treatment and a cure for heart disease. More than 616,000 people died of heart disease in 2008. Heart disease caused almost 25 percent, or about one in every four deaths, in the United States. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. More than half of the deaths due to heart disease in 2008 were in men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov.
"By actively involving all of our students in this fun-filled event, we are raising an important awareness about heart disease and obesity with the next generation of Americans," said Mike Nieddu, Trinity physical education teacher and development director.
Jump Rope For Heart has raised more than $818 million for the fight against heart disease and stroke. Millions of students have jumped rope and learned about heart health and how nutrition and physical activity can help prevent heart disease and stroke.
Jump Rope For Heart is co-sponsored by AHA and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
"Our children are learning so much about caring about other people through this event. I'm glad that they had the opportunity to realize that there are other people who need their help, and this is the way they can do it. This is something that is memorable for the children and it's really fun," said Sister Mary Ann Spaetti, IHM, principal.
For more information about the American Heart Association, call 800-AHA-USA1 (1-800-242-8721) or visit online at heart.org/jump.
